Surely snow will stop us!

Transport in to College was always a bit of a problem.

The coach would leave Killerton car park promptly at quarter past eight to give it ample time to make the journey via Broadclyst and Pinhoe to arrive in Heavitree by eight forty five - giving passengers ample time to reach the first lecture by nine o clock.

However, persuading young men (?) to get up in time to complete their ablutions, get dressed, have breakfast andget out to the car park by eight fifteen was most unreasonable. There had to be another way.

Some students had their own car. This meant they could leave Killerton at around eight forty, travel in via the back road, and with luck find a parking space somewhere near college, and still get in to the lecture room by 9:00am.

Passengers were encouraged. A win-win situation, contributions of 6d - later 5p helped towards petrol and the passengers were able to take advantage of the extra time in bed.

Unfortunately many of the cars were not that reliable and it was not uncommon to find people looking hopefully under the bonnet of the car in the vain hope that loving words might coax a sleeping beast into life ... and if not loving words then may a view expletives might do the trick.

Mostly this all worked well - until the day it snowed!

A rarity in Devon but it does happen. Students walking out at eight thirty nine were surprised to find their cars and te car park covered in a blanket of snow.

Well, we'er going to be late so let's have a snowball fight anyway!

Then a conversation in the car park went along tthese lines:

Actually, it's snow. How deep is it?
Will we be able to get into college?
Well, it's not very deep!
Get a box!

A box was found, and snow gathered from the cars in the car park was deposited in the box.

A ruler was found. The depth of snow (in the box) was measured. 11inches!

Phone College. Tell them we can't get in! 11inches of snow out here.

A brave sole was volunteered and the phone call made!

The call was put through to Staff House and the recipient was told of the problems. North of the city where 11 inches of snow was making it impossible for students to drive safely. A few brave soles had tried but had not even been able to get out of the car park.

It was a "wizard wheeze" - unfortunately, it was Sir Richard who had picked up the call, and pointed out that he had just arrived having only just left Killerton!